Phoenix mayor addresses possible conflict of interest

PHOENIX — City officials said they are addressing any conflict of interest
involving a lobbying firm whose founding partner is married to a high-ranking
member of the Phoenix mayor’s staff.

The Arizona Republic reported Catherine Alonzo of
Javelina Consulting, which is lobbying on behalf of a towing company for
lucrative city towing contracts, is the wife of Mayor Greg Stanton’s deputy
chief of staff.

Alonzo was also part of Stanton’s campaign team.

Bill Scheel, another partner at the firm, worked for former Mayor Phil Gordon
and was part of Stanton’s transition team.

Rival towing companies said Stanton should recuse himself from voting on these
contracts.

Scheel says he will create a separate company to handle work Alonzo and her
husband don’t have a financial stake in.